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Dictionary Language resources

dingo

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪŋgəʊ/

Definition of dingo

noun (plural dingoes or dingos)

1a wild or half-domesticated dog with a sandy-coloured coat, found in Australia.
- Canis dingo, family Canidae

2Australian informal a cowardly or treacherous person.

Origin:

late 18th century: from Dharuk din-gu 'domesticated dingo'; dingo (sense 2) dates from the mid 19th century and alludes to the treachery popularly associated with the dingo